Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MPV vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mazda MPV and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mazda MPV vs Chevrolet Silverado: The MPV has 617 complaints over 7 years (88/year) and 26 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (823/year) and 101 recalls. The Silverado also reports 3 deaths and 160 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MPV or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV is a minivan with 617 complaints over 7 years, averaging about 88 per year. Owners frequently report transmission jerking, engine misfires, and stalling, with 53 crash-related complaints and 84 injuries. Airbag recalls, including Takata, add to ownership concerns. Overall, it demands attention to powertrain and electrical issues.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 823 per year. Common problems include engine and transmission failures, electrical glitches, and brake issues, with 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. Many complaints involve newer models with low mileage, indicating potential reliability concerns even when new.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MPV | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 617 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 88.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mazda MPV
- 01POWER TRAIN134
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING127
- 03AIR BAGS69
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM64
- 05STRUCTURE44
Owners report severe transmission jerking at low speeds, sometimes feeling like a rear-end collision. This can cause headrest impacts and dizziness, making daily driving uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.
Engine misfires due to failing ignition coils are common, causing shaking and jerking. In some cases, the engine shuts off while driving, leading to loss of power steering and brakes, which is a serious safety risk.
Takata airbag recalls affect passenger-side inflators, with notices warning not to drive due to humidity-related rupture risks. Owners report difficulty confirming recall repairs, leaving potential danger.
Idle air control valve failures can cause engine stalling at speed, resulting in loss of power braking and steering. This can leave occupants stranded or in peril, especially if the engine fails to restart.
“AT LOW SPEED, 20 TO 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE HEADREST HITS MY HEAD BADLY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HEAD IS STILL DIZZY AFTER A DAY. THIS JERKING FREQUENCY IS ABOUT TWICE IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS.”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral.' Diesel models experience frequent diesel particulate filter soot accumulation, requiring dealer service.
Transmission issues include sudden shifting into neutral while driving slowly, such as in parking garages. This can cause loss of acceleration and potential rollaways, which is alarming for a new vehicle.
Electrical glitches can cause severe braking loss with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power. Screens may go blank and the truck may shut off, requiring restarts, which is dangerous in traffic.
Braking problems include sudden loss of normal braking effectiveness, even with a firm pedal. This can happen at low speeds, increasing crash risk, and is often linked to electrical faults.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mazda MPV — 26 recalls
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
Mazda MPV or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda MPV has far fewer complaints per year (about 88) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). However, the Silverado's higher volume and newer model complaints suggest widespread issues. In practice, the MPV may be simpler but still prone to serious powertrain and airbag problems, while the Silverado's complexity brings more frequent, varied failures.
Key differences
- The Mazda MPV averages 88 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages 823, indicating much higher reported issue frequency for the Silverado.
- Mazda MPV complaints often involve transmission jerking and engine misfires, whereas Silverado complaints include engine shutdowns and brake loss on newer models.
- Airbag recalls are prominent for the Mazda MPV, including Takata inflators, while the Silverado has recalls for fuel pumps and forward collision warnings.
- The Silverado has 3 deaths and 160 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 84 injuries for the MPV, though these figures depend on many factors.
- Test drive at low speeds (20-40 mph) to check for transmission jerking or headrest impacts.
- Ask for proof that Takata airbag recall repairs were completed; verify with a Mazda dealer using the VIN.
- During test drive, listen for engine shutdowns or messages like 'Return to Neutral'; check for diesel particulate filter issues if diesel.
- Test brakes at low speeds for sudden loss of effectiveness; ensure all electrical systems and screens function without glitches.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, engine, and electrical systems for signs of the reported issues.
- For the Mazda MPV, specifically check ignition coils, idle air control valve, and airbag recall status.
- For the Chevrolet Silverado, scan for stored error codes related to engine, transmission, and brakes, and test all electronic features.
- Request maintenance records and ask about any prior repairs for the symptoms described in complaints.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mazda MPV or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MPV vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mazda MPV total complaints
- 617
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mazda MPV total recalls
- 26
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mazda MPV avg complaints/year
- 88.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MPV
- Mazda MPV top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE